COVENTRY CITY boss Andy Thorn insists he is desperate to keep hold of star striker Lukas Jutkiewicz but acknowledges the decision may be taken out of his hands.

As we reported on Tuesday morning, Southampton are readying a January bid in the region of s3million for City's prized asset and could even take him on loan prior to Thursday's deadline with a view to a permanent move in the new year.

Jutkiewicz, born in Southampton and on the club's books as a youngster, took his tally for the season to seven goals with a well-taken header to cancel out Peter Whittingham's strike in a 1-1 npower Championship draw with Cardiff.

The struggling Sky Blues certainly cannot afford to lose their top scorer as they attempt to stave off relegation and Thorn, who has coped admirably having been unable to replace a host of star names who departed over the summer, would love to keep him at the Ricoh Arena.

But he knows the cash-strapped club's delicate ongoing financial situation means owners SISU may finally be forced to cash in on his services having rejected a summer bid from Middlesbrough, who also continue to track the 22-year-old.